Hitch mechanism



T. W. PAUL HITCH MECHANISM Aug. 8, 1933.

Filed Feb. 20. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l Umm A TTORNE Y HITCH MECHANISM Filed Feb. 20, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 8, 1933 Y l i1,921,581 l y Y i nrrcn MaonANIsM l'ralbert W. Paul, Moline, n1., assigner tol Deere .c

Company, Moline; Ill., a Corporation ofnlllinois Y y Application Fbr uary.2o,719e1. serial No. 517,169 16 claims. romeo-33.44)

two' mowers by a single tractor with .the mowers positioned in tandem offset relation' tothe tracl0 tor, so thatboth implements can be operatedl simultaneously todouble the work accomplished. :When hitcvhing one mower to ay tractorfit is `often desirable tn provide a safetydevice inthe Y form of arelease inlthe draft connection of` the 15 implements directly to-a tractor by separate Aand independent draft connections with a safety re- 120 lease device ineach draft connection, the'second implement being drawn by the tractor might run `into and damagefthe first implement when the" .latter is.` released from foi-ward draft upon con-l tacting ran obstacle `before lthe operator stopped implement disengages itself upon strikingan vobstruction,v the tractor' with the first' implement would be -moved forwardly ajconsiderable distance before the tractor could be stopped. This would then necessitate backing-fof' 'the tractor andflrstmower to again'l connectrthe'released mower to the tractor. v The aboveV method'of ,hitching'twoimplementsto a tractor would obviously be inconvenient and impractical in operation.

The rear 'implementmight alsobe connected 4to the first j implement and 4only one safety` release device' employed in the draft connection of the first implement. The ksafety vrelease devieewould then have to transmit draft to both implements vand yet V,be sensitive enough to release "when either implement 'encountered v[an )obstruction This method of Ihi'tching two .implements to a motive source4 hasl proved unsatisfactory because f the safety release device woulduhave to be unusually sensitive and subject to ne adjustment -to meet diversoperating conditions.' i "l 4 l YI have thereforeprovided Aa novel arrangement whereby. two or more implements .may .beconnected to a r.motive VVsource without the v*disadvantages -mentionedabove The inventim pro- .vides for hitchinga plurality: of-implements-to a tractor in suchfa manner lthat when anyone of the implementsV becomesreleasedzfrom forward ing relationship.

`either implement contacting,- an'obstructionu j. .implement so thatthe forward movement of the f implement can be stopped immediately'on encountering anobsta'cle.v In connecting two suchl ing drawings, in which;` l ,y Figure lA is a plan view showingmy invention/'1 5 ,showing the the'tractor. `On theother hand,l Whenthe'rearQ v 4 Y. l. Y

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary. top; view.

section, taken approximately through the londrawn bya tractor 13.4

.extend forwardly from Athe `implements andare lmounted below the-longitudinalframe' jmem-A platform as by bolts 23` and theopposite end draft, all theimplementsnwill be instantly rel Y* leased Another feature of my invention isnthe, pro,- vision of animproved hitch arrangement where by two `implements :maytbe drawn vin A tandem S50 offset relation by a tractor'or1otherfmotlve source,V so that each' implement will be accurately steered to be'maintained inproper work- Another'feature of '-myf invention is the pro vision of an improvedfsafety rele'asedevicein vthe draft connection of. the\implen1ents` so that the forward' draft will be interruptedxinstantly upon Other objects and advantages of myg'inven- `tion will becomeapparent to one skilled inthe art fromthe following description ofmyfinvention, taken infconjunction with-the accompany'- as Aadapted to a. conventiona1- tractorgand 1 Figure 2'is an enlarged fragmentary. plan view preferred embodiment ofrnyin- .i

of vmy* novel releasemechanism; `and. Figure 4 -isa vvertical fragmentarywiew, in

gitudinall center 'of Figure 3.,;1 l l v Referring nowto the" drawings, Figure y1`dis.- closes two workingfunits' dra-wn by.. a' tractor.,

Thejworkingunitsmay be'cfjanytype Yof imple-v ment fwithin the :broad aspects offxny:ini/Ierition,v i v vbut `)for purposes of :description the` preferred 90 embodiment ofv myrinventionflis disclosed. injconijunction withtwomowing machinesrll and l2 'Ifhe mowing machines 1*'1 -andg121are1of known constructiom' 'each :comprises af frame M supported byv wheels 15 mountedfon, opposite lends fof ,the horizontalaxle 16. Each-fimplement VVA has .a conventional vsickle bar 17 `extending laterally from the frame 14.Av The draft tongues 18 and 1'9 b er 14',y i 1 .Y f 1` Asbest -seeninFigure 2, thetractor 13. has a draw :frame 21 which 'providestlie support` to which the implements lare `4connected. This '105 draw Yframe 21 comprises adraft member 22, one

end c-f`whiclris4v connected tothe rear tractor,

extends rearwardly of theltractor.V A strap-24 is secured beneath ,the fender 26g-:and oneend UNITED; ,N

`ber or nut 57. c yed on the bolt`55, and the ends thereof abut of the strap is bolted at 25 to the tractor framey while the other end 27 projects around Vthe outer edge of the fender 26 and isbolted as at 28 to the inside of the. fender and angle Viron 29. The free end 27 of the strap is bent at right angles and extends rearwardly from the tractor. A connecting strap 82, which completes the frame,

is bolted on the freeV ends of the members 22 and 24 as by bolts 33.

Ay pair of connecting meu'ibers` 34 and 85 are fixed onfthe ends of the bar 32 and they consist of rings, each formed of a single, piece of bar looped back jupon itself to provide a pair of parallel legs 34 which legs straddle and are welded on the bar 32. tion, has'a lug or finger from the member 35. short piece of metal welded or votherwise secured to the side of member 35, the curved endof this finger 36 extending into the area circumscribed by the looped ring portion of member 34.

vA chain 41 is threaded through these ring members 34 andr 35. The end 42 of the chain The member 35, in addi- 36 shown curved away which passes through the ring 34 is connected to the draft tongue 18 of the front mower while the opposite end V440i the chain 41 is connected to the long diagonal draft member 45 which is secured to the rear mower v12.

To facilitate hitching the draftmembers 18 and 45 to the tractor, the chain is threaded through the rings 34 and S5, the first mowers draft tongue 18 is then connected to the. end 42 ofthe chain, and an intermediate link 41 near the opposite end of the chain is hooked on to the lug or finger 36 to hold the chain 4l under tension and thereby support the tongue 1S until the draft member 45 can, in turn, be connected tothe end 44 of the chain. Forward movement of the tractorwill cause the link` 41 to be pulled l bore 52, the end of which is closed by a cylindricalV block 53. The cylindrical block 53 has a peripherally flanged end 53 and is held in the bore 52 by bolts 54 which are threaded through the tongue 18 and into the lblock 53. The tonguek forms an enclosed housing for. the compression spring of the device and dirt and rain are prevented from entering the end-of the tongue due to the snug-relationship of the block 53 inthe end of the bore 52. .A draft member in the form of a bolt 55 passes longitudinally through a cylindrical opening 56 in the block 53 and a peripherally hanged portion 55 abuts the exterior end of the block to limitthe inward movement of the bolt 55. The flanged portion 55 converges into a neck 59 which neck, in turn, is integrally formed with an eye 60. The opposite end of the bolt 55 is threaded, as at 56, to receive a flanged mem- A compression spring 58 is mountagainst the inner side of the block 53 and against the flared portion or wall of the nut 57.

A peripheral sleeve 65 is mounted exteriorly of This lug 36 consistsof av the draft member 1a and is adapted to slide 1ongitudinally thereon. A raised portion or boss 66 forms a pocket 67 for receiving one end of an arm 68. The opposite end of the arm 68 is bent downwardly, as seen in Figure 4, through 4the eye 60 of the bolt 55 and encircles one side thereof as at 69.

The cylindrical block 53 has an upwardly extending portion 71 formed with an arcuate recess 72 therein for receiving an intermediate portion of the arm 58 to aid in holding the latter in normal operative position.

The sleeve 65 isrestrained'from free longitudinal movement by a spring finger 81 which passes through a channel or slot 82 in an enlarged side portion 83 of the sleeve. One end of the spring finger 81 is secured beneath the heads of the bolts 54 on the tongue 18. The channel or slot has a depression 84 in which a stop 85 on the spring finger engages. The spring finger, passing longitudinallythrough the slot 82, prevents the sleeve from. turning relative to thetongue 18, but the sleeve 65 may be moved longitudinally of the draft tongue upon release of the detent 85 from the depression 84.

To hitch the draft tongue 18 to the tractor, the end link 42 of the chain 41 is passed over arm 43 and the link 42 is normally hooked in thebent portion of "this arm. In ordinary operation, the compression spring 58 can resist Ythe usual draft .transmitted therethrough, but when an unusual l' obstacle or load is encountered by the mower, thespring will be compressed to such an extent that the arm 43 will be withdrawn from the pocket V67 and consequently release the chain 41 to instantly interrupt the application ofy draft to the Y lar releasedevicer mounted at thev end of draft `member 45. In like manner should the cutter ybar onthe rear mower ,encounter an unusual obstacle that implement will instantly stop due to thev releasing of the chain 41 from the draft .member 45, and forward draft of the front implement Awill necessasrily be stopped vdue tok the chain being pulled through the looped connectors 34 and 35. Howevenvit-is to be understood that only one release device may be employed of such constructionthat either implement might trip the device to produce the desired result, such arrangementv being within the scope of my invention.

Referring to` Figure 1, it will be observed that I have illustrated the present invention 'as embodied in a draft connection serially connecting twomowers, which draft connection is so suplported on or connected ywith the tractor that both 'mowers will be disconnectedfr'om the tractor should either ofy them be subjected to an over.- load. As illustrated, therefore, they draft connection is adapted to transmit substantially equal loads lto the trailing implements,v the release,

mechanisms disposed between the vends of the chain41 and the front ends of the draft members 18` and 45 being substantially identical and therefore adapted to be released upon the trans- `mission of substantially'the same overload. YIt 'is important to Yobserve that as long as the loads tion.

r1,921,581 `transmitted to the implements are substantially the same there will beno shifting of the chain l4l in the `loops 34 and 35 However, should the. loads on the mowers be unequal then all that Ywill occur will be `the shifting of thev chain 41 untilthe arm 43 abuts against-the loopy 34 or the arm 93abuts against the loop 35. YIt there- L fore followsl that the presentinventionis not necessarily limited to the transmission of substantially equal loads, but` that unequal loads can be transmitted with equal facility. The arms 43 and 93 `therefore serveas vstop means limiting the shifting of the connection between the-two .implements relative to lthe tractor vs olthat either equal or unequalloads can be vpropelled solong 4,2V or` 44, and this will be followed by the Withdrawal of the chain 41from both loops.34 andvv 35, thereby releasing both implements. Insuch cases Where the loads are not equal or substantially so, it may be desirable to Yhave one of the release mechanisms adjusted to transmit a greater load, without tripping, than the other, and vsuch iscontemplated by `the present invenof separate release mechanisms, one for each implement, a. single release mechanismr may vbe utilized'by disposing the same-somewhere adjacent the -intermediate portion-of the chain and s o constructedl that when it is tripped both ends of the chain will be Withdrawn from theloops 34 and 35. In this case, as well as in the struc-` ture described above, assoon as either ofthe implements is subjected to a predetermined over- Also, where an intermediate re- 'implement contacts with` one ofthe loops, 34 er 3 5, this ,condition` inno Wise'effecting the release of both implements by, the, tripping of theintermediate releasemechanism.

, Broadly consideredi.-therefore,` as long vasthe centinuitygof connectionbetween the twoimples ments isfmaintainedftheshifting of the flexible chain 4 1 lunder unegualload'conditions is limited by the connections between its ends, and the i draft members of the two implementsand by be incorporated if desired.

virtue ofithis construction either unequal loads or equal loads can be transmitted to the two'im- `plements with equalfacility and, if desired, the individual -release mechanisms may be. constructed or adjusted to accommodate suchunequal loading, or release mechanisms ofdiferent character to accommodate differenthloads may Referring again Ato-Figure l of 4the I have `shown my novel draft mechanism arranged whereby the two mowing machines are .drawn `in staggered relation. lThe second implement is sopositioned that the inner end of its sickle bar travels approximately directly behind the outer end of the :sickle bar of theflrst implement, thereby cutting a swath .approximately double the width of la single implement.

The draft connection which transmits ydraft tov -to the frame 14. It is also to be understood that instead drawings, v i

` the rear implement 1;2 comprises the diagonalrod v45 pivotally-mounted on a bracket structure above therear' mower` 12. The forward end of thisrodV is preferably provided with the safety release .1'

Vmechanism92, as before mentioned, and likewise has an arm`93, which receives the end link '44 of the chain 41.-: vThe rod 45extends in an inclined diagonal direction above the rear implement` 12,( c and is pivotally supported ona `bracket structure 91.v The `bracket structure 91 consistsof aver-` tically inclined member 94 and a brace` 95. The

inclined member 941s bolted at 96 on the longii tudinal frame portion 14 and the brace 95 is f bolted ,at 97 on the draft tongue 19. The inclined member 94 and'brace 95 converge at a point labove and to the left `of draft tongue 1 9,` and provide a base 98 on which`the-rod-45 is pivoted.

The -direction of, movement of the rear imple- -ment 12 is controlled by the front implement 11- through `a steering link 101 `which is pivotally connected to the forward end of the draft tongue 1 9, and pivotally supportedat a point 102,in the rear and somewhat to the left of the frame 14 of kthe front implement 11. tionis preferably provided by an Outrigger bar 103 bolted to the frame 14-` at 104, and supportedby y This point of connecbrace rods 105 and 106 which brace rods are fixed at 111 to the extreme end of` bar 163 and the sleeve 108 is pivotally connected to an eye'bolt 112" on `the drafttongue19.V A number of `alinedopen` ings 113A pass diarn'etvri'cally-through the section 107 and .sleeve-108 and a bolt 114 issecured in y one of these openings 113 ytoniaintain the telescopic section in lany one of a number lof longi-4 v tudinally adjusted positions. Y,

Due to the adjustability of .the steering link 101, the rear vmower may bepositioned laterally` at various vpointsto `acconfirnodate'v different,

account of the diagonaldirection `of draft from the rod 45but thetransverseV relation of the I steering link101.wllcounteract this tendency by pushing theV draft'tongue 19 to the right, the

tendency to swerve to the right the steering link 1Y01will exert a pull or be under tension topre- Vent any such movement.

In turning to the right or left the front im.- .plement 11 will closely follow the tractor insim'- Iilar turning movement but the rear implement, will have an oppositeturning reaction.l 'Ihat is,`

infturning to the right the Arear implement Will, at thel outset,V swing to the left due to the pivotal attachment of the steering linkll at apoint `steering link at `this time having a compression i Y `force thereina 1f the rear implement Vhasthe tothe rear ofthe supporting` Wheels 15 of thefrontmower. lThis reaction will be but momen` tary,.however, as continued turning of the front mower will draw cn the diagonal member 45 to cause the rear mower to swing-back to the right to thereafter follow in normal offset relation toV 1'4'5 the rst implement. In this manner the sickle bar onthe rear implement will movie laterally to ,the'lefig or into the area previously cut by the first mower, for a sufficient distance towprevent a strip `of uncut grain being left standing due to being passed betweenthe sickle barsp Thus; on

.150 vL f fio' turning to the right, the steering link l101` will momentarily be under tension, Aand subsequently, for the greater` part of the turn, be under compression. v

In turning to the left, the opposite reaction takes place, that the first implement will turn to the left giving the rear implei Lent an impulsek to momentarily swing to the right, followed by a counter force exerted throughthe diagonal vdraft member i5 which will make the rear implement turn to the left to regain its normal offset position relative to the front implement. Turning to the left will result in the steering linlr 101 first being under coinpression'for a short period of time, and subsequently being under tension for a much greater interval of time.

The particular draft arrangement, Vwhich I employ, thus holds the rst implement 11 in` an offset position relative to the tractor, while the draft member d5 the steering link 101 cooperate to maintain rear implement 12in a staggered offset position relative to the rst implement l1 and the tractor 10.

I have disclosed my invention as associated. with a tractor and two mowers, but, however, it is to be une er:tood that I am not to be limited thereby, for -in adaptation of rnyinvention may equally well be employed withany type of pulling encounters an abnormal load of substantially the same magnitt le 2. The con adapted to be r each other be' ation with two working units awn in tandem offset relation to dependently to each of` said units, a movable connection between said mechanisms and vehicle and actuated by Tneans in the draftconnection of one unit to interrupt the forward draft of both units instantly upon either unit encountering an abnormal load of substantially the same magnitude. V 'Y i 3. The combination with a source of power and two working nits adapted to be drawn thereby in tandeml lset relation to each other behind a pullingY vehicle, of separate releasable mechanismsV for transmitting draft independently to of said io. ts, and an equalising connection transmitting draft from said source of power to v said mechanisms and adapted, upon one of said reach of said units, a flexible connection shiitahly and detachab connected with the pulling vehicles, and-trip means individually connecting each of said units with said flexible connection and imposing the draft reactions of said units on said flexible connection, whereby the trip means of either unit is adapted to interruptthe Yforward draft of both units. Y

id a pulling vehicle, of a pair of releasable mechanisms for transmitting draft in- 5. The combination with ltwo implements adapted to vbe drawn inftandem offset`V relation to each other behind a tractor, of draft members interposed between said implements and said tractor, al chain releasably connected with each of said members and also releasably connected members interposed between said implements and said tractor, a chain releasably connected to each of said implements, and a ring on said tractor for detachably receiving said chain, said chain adapted to be disconnected from one of said implements when 'the latter encounters anobstruction and simultaneously withdrawn from said attaching ring to instantly stop the forward draft to the other of said implements.

7. The combina-tion` with two implements adapted to be propelled by va tractor, of ldraft Vmembers connected with said implementsga draft `frame on said tractor, means for securing said draft members to said draft frameand'compris- Ving a chain','attachingmeans on said frame for 'sh saidchain, whereby the-draft load of one' implement is balanced-against the draft loadof the itably receiving the intermediateportion of other implement and a releasable mechanisrn'in vthe end of each of said draft members and adapted toY be connected near the ends fof said chain, whereby 'said chain is released from either of said draft members whenan abnormal load is transmitted therethrough' and simultaneously pulled' from said attaching means to; free the other implement from the tractor.

The combination with two implementspositioned one behind the otherin tandem offset'relation'and drawn by a tractor, a looped memberfon said tractor, a chain loosely heldin said looped memberland capable of being withdrawn therefrom, the opposite ends of said chain adapted-to lbe secured to the forward ends of said draftmembers, and a hook associated'with said looped member for temporarily holding said chain under tension when only one end of said chain is hitched to one of said draft members, whereby bitching of the opposite draft member is facilitated, said chain being released 'from-said hook upon forward draft of said tractor being applied to both implements. r l i 9. The combination with two implements vdrawn by a tractor, ofdraft members interposed betweeneach of said implements and said tractor, a safety release device in Veach of said draft members and comprising a yieldingr means adapted to have dr ft transmitted therethrough, and a trip device associated with said yielding means and colinect'edv to said ltractor fortransmitting normal draft therethrough, said trip device actuated Toy said yielding means when the latter is subjected to an abnormal load to interrupt forward draft of both ofsaid implements, and draft means connected with the tractor forv transmitting draft to said draft members 'through said release devices, said draft means being shiftableV with respect to Ythe tractor so that the effectiveness of the transmission of draft to either implement is dependent upon the uninterrupted transmission of draftto the other implement. `1

10. The combination with a plurality of working umts adapted to Vbe propelled by a pulling vehicle, of mechanism for transmitting draft to said units comprising an overload release mechanism connected with each unit and draft means connected with all of said release mechanisms and shiftably connected with the pulling Vehicle to impose the draft reactions of the units one on the other, whereby the effectiveness of the transmission of power to each of the units is dependent upon the transmission of power to all of them.

11. The combination with two working units adapted to be propelled by a pulling vehicle, of mechanism for transmitting draft to said units comprising an overload release mechanism for each unit and means shiftably connected with the pulling vehicle and disposed in draft transmitting relation with both release mechanisms for substantially balancing the draft reaction of each unit against the draft reaction of the other unit, either implement being released upon predetermined shifting movement of said means relative to the pulling vehicle following the release of the overload mechanism of the other unit under an abnormal load imposed thereon.

12. The combination with two implements adapted to be propelled by a tractor, of draft members connected with said implements, means serving as a draft frame on the tractor, means for securing said draft members to said draft frame and comprising a flexible member including interconnected overload release vmechanism and having its ends connected, respectively, with said draft members and its intermediate portion shiftably and releasably engaged with said'draft frame, the release of said mechanism disconnect.

ing said member and releasing both end portions thereof from the draft frame to provide for the release of both implements should either of them be subjected to an overload.

13. The combination With two implements adapted to be propelled by a tractor, of draft members connected with said implements, and means shiftable with respect to the tractor and connected at its extremities withsaid implements, said means including overload relief mechanism interposed therein and adapted when released to interrupt the connection established by said means and to free said means from the tractor to thereby release both implements from the tractor.

14. The combination with" two implements i adapted to beV propelled by a tractor, of draftV f members connected with said implements, and a connection extending from one implement to the and extending from one implement to the other to serially connect them, said connection including at least one overload release mechanism,'the connection being supported on thev tractor so as to be released therefrom when the connection is disconnected from either implement, and stop means to limit the' shifting of said connection as long as said connection is intact, whereby unbalanced leads are accommodated.

16. The combination with Vtwo implements adapted to be propelled by a tractor, of draft members connected with said implements, and a connection shiftable with respect to the tractor and extending from one implement to the other tor serially connect them, said connection including at least one overload release mechanism, the connectionbeing supported on the tractor so as to be released therefrom when the connection is disconnected from either implement, and means serving as stop means adjacent the ends of said shiftable connection for limiting the shifting thereof in either direction as long,

TALBERT W. PAUL. 

